>> former representative gabrielle giffords who survived a gunshot wound to the head made a surprise visit. she opened the hearing and spoke haltingly of the need to protect our children. but opinions differed wildly on exactly how to do that. much of the debate focused on tougher laws, background checks and mental health issues. >> let's be honest. background checks will never be universal because criminals will never submit to them. >> when i bought firearms in vermont i go through the background check. i would expect everybody else to. >> any serious discussion of the causes of gun violence must include a complex reexamination of mental health. >> the national rifle association chief also spoke against the ban on assault weapons and high capacity magazine clips which is being pushed by gun control advocates in congress. senator feinsten is among them but while she attended the hearing in washington people against the ban protested outside her office in san francisco. >> our second amendment right is our ability to arm ourselves and protect ourselves without having any limitations